Nokia to bring exclusive Windows Phones to each US carrier

Nokia has historically been less successful in the United States than in other markets such as Europe or Asia, mostly due to the unique positions US carriers hold. They usually demand differentiated devices exclusive to their own network, something Nokia has been refusing to do for a long time. However, with its new focus on Windows Phone, this strategy is set to change as part of its “Operation Rolling Thunder”, according to an interview of FierceWireless with Chris Weber, Nokia’s president of North America.

Weber said that Nokia will “bring exclusive devices and opportunities to each of the carriers”, which should result in better carrier support. Going even further, he said that Nokia aims to become the “most operator-friendly company to work with in the US market”. That, along with the planned sales incentives of $10-15 per phone, should hopefully greatly boost Windows Phone sales.

While no specific plans for those carriers without Nokia Windows Phones yet have been revealed, Weber did mention Verizon as a “very important partner”. It remains to be seen, though, when that partnership is going to result in a real device, with Verizon requiring LTE for its smartphones, while AT&T seems to be the exclusive LTE Windows Phone carrier for now.